Sport

Bury 1 Sheffield Wednesday 3

BURY were forced to move their first “home” match of the pre-season to Salford Red Devils’ AJ Bell Stadium after a delay in relaying their pitch, but the grass wasn’t exactly greener as lost to Sheffield Wednesday.

Daniel Nardiello did level the scores for the Shakers before the break after an early opener from Jacques Maghoma, but second-half efforts from Atdhe Nuhiu and Giles Coke sent the travelling fans home happy.

David Flitcroft’s League Two favourites did give their Championship opponents a decent run-out though, and the Bury boss will have learned a lot about his new recruits after the Owls put out a virtually full-strength side.

Returning heroes Ryan Lowe and Nicky Adams were busy throughout and showed already that they will be a handful for sides lower down the league pyramid than Sheffield Wednesday.

But, of the six new signings on display - including former Owls winger Danny Mayor, stopper Shwan Jalal and second-half substitute Keil O'Brien - it was Chris Hussey who really stood out.

The loanee last season turned down a chance to extend his contract with parent club Burton Albion and showed just why Flitcroft was so eager to keep him as the left-back sent in a string of teasing crosses.

Wednesday, however, started the stronger and Bury were caught napping as Caolan Lavery threaded a neat ball in behind their defence for Maghoma to slot home in the third minute.

The Shakers came into it as the half wore on and levelled through a glancing Nardiello header from a Hussey free-kick.

But giant Owls centre-forward Nuhiu nodded the Owls back in front on 57 minutes and former Bury loanee Coke smashed a low strike under the body of Jalal with 10 minutes remaining.

The visitors broke to round off the scoring following a Bury corner and Peter Sweeney - the former Shakers midfielder brought in on a trial - did not do his case for a contract any favours as he lost his man in the build-up.

Of the other triallists on show, Joe Widdowson came on for a second bite of the cherry at left-back, while former Rochdale and Tranmere midfielder Joe Thompson showed he has recovered from his cancer scare with a lively late cameo.

Flitcroft also confirmed after the match that former Burnley keeper Nick Liversedge was training with the team and all four triallists would be given a chance to further prove themselves on next week's training camp in Tenerife.